Taking Care of Teeth and Gums with Essential Oils

Essential Oils for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Essential Oils are fantastic for helping to keep your teeth and gums healthy and strong. I’m using Dreaming Earth’s Germ Buster blend for my oral hygiene routine because it contains so many healing essential oils for healthy teeth and gums, all in one go. I am almost three weeks into my natural dental health “experiment” (see previous post). I can report that my mouth continues to feel much cleaner. My teeth and gums feel stronger. Maybe it’s just my imagination, but my skin feels softer, too. These are hardly scientific findings, but they are enough for me to want to continue on. I’ll keep you posted on my experience with oil pulling and natural toothpaste in future posts. If you are interested in making your own toothpaste or mouthwash, here are some ideas.

Top Eight Essential Oils for Healthy Teeth and Gums:

Peppermint and Spearmint Essential Oils are both antiseptic oils which help to treat pain. They are great in a mouthwash or toothpaste, which is why they are such prevalent flavors in oral hygiene products. Peppermint and spearmint oils are also very effective in combating bad breath.

Clove Oilis one of my favorite essential oils for healthy teeth and gums. It helps fight germs and, like peppermint, numbs pain and fights bad breath. Because clove is so intense, make sure to dilute it well before using.

When it comes to a great all-purpose oral health oil, reach for Manuka or Tea Tree Essential Oil. For oral hygiene, these are both invaluable–helping to fight germs, heal cold sores and kill bad breath.

Myrrh Oil is very good for oral hygiene in that it strengthens gums, and has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

How to use these? The nice thing is you can mix and match with what you have on hand, experimenting until you get a flavor you like. I like the following Healthy Fresh Mouth Blend:

10 drops peppermint essential oil

5 drops spearmint essential oil

5 drops cinnamon essential oil

5 drops clove essential oil

5 drops tea tree or manuka essential oil

5 drops lemon essential oil

Blend these together, and add to 8 oz of water. I’d recommend adding a few drops of carrier oil (such as almond or jojoba) to the water to help disperse the essential oils. If you use just water you’ll need to shake well each time before using. After brushing, add a few drops to your toothbrush and gently brush teeth and gums. Rinse and spit–do NOT swallow! Or, use as a mouth rinse after brushing. You can adjust the strength to your taste by making the essential oil concentration stronger or more diluted. Also, see our last blog posting on natural homemade oral hygiene products for some simple recipes.

Lastly, if you want to keep it simple, try our newest tooth and gum blend called Love Your Mouth. It combines many of these essential oils to great effect. It tastes fantastic and leaves my mouth feeling super-clean all day long. Here’s to a fresh, clean, healthy mouth!

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only, and not intended to treat, prescribe, cure, or diagnose any disease or condition. This information is not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician or other health care provider. Dreaming Earth Botanicals is not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of any of the suggestions, preparations, or procedures discussed. All matters pertaining to your physical health should be supervised by a health care professional. Keep all aromatherapy products out of reach of children.

Comments

Thanks for all these great ideas! I’ve been using a drop or two of tea tree oil on my toothbrush after my regular brushing and I really feel like it’s made a difference in the health of my gums. I like the idea of adding some other oils that might make it taste better though!

Hello Tereza,
Be sure you’re using 100% pure essential oils–not “fragrance” oils or “scented” oils but pure essential oils. If you’re just starting out you might want to try peppermint essential oil or tea tree–these are both readily available, inexpensive and wonderful for your teeth and gums. And remember not to swallow the essential oils when using–always rinse and spit.

I couldn’t help but notice that that’s a lot of essential oils per 1oz. So you never experienced any discomfort from such concentrations? I also read that clove oil is very concentrated and a little goes a long way.

Hi Elka,
It’s about a 15% blend which is high compared to blends for the skin, but they’re being used as a rinse and quickly washed out unlike massage blends which stay on and do become absorbed more fully. I personally tend to use these blends by adding a drop of two to my (wet) toothbrush after brushing. I brush one more time gently with the blend and then rinse. I’ve had no trouble at all but one could certainly halve the amounts of eo or double the carrier.
Thank you for your question!

Hello Andrew,
Anything can have a harmful effect if used in too high of quantity or too often. We always recommend moderation and safe dilution ratios. If you have health issues of any kind, we always recommend checking with your health care provider first. Hope that helps. 🙂

Hi Susie,
Use a cold compress or a bag of ice covered in a towel to help with the pain and swelling. You can apply lavender, chamomile or helichrysum oil to the area a few times a day. Lavender is our favorite–most people have it on hand and it really minimizes the pain.

Msg powder. It’s a protein dissolver and bee venom is protein based. This is why people use steak tenderizer on jellyfish stings, et al. You can find straight msg at most spice shops. Make a paste, apply, use and ice pack over it.

Hello, found your site when searching for herbal alternatives to the chlorhexadrine mouthwash given to me today by my dentist. Apparently I have mild gingivitis and this new dentist did a cleaning and then handed me products I know are tested on animals. So I am looking for alternatives. Any suggestions for essential oils, and when you say to use a carrier oil, can I use almond oil? And am I to understand that even with the carrier oil one should not swallow the concoction? Thanks very much.

Hello Tallulah,
Sure, any of the essential oils listed in this blog post (there’s a recipe as well) or our Germ Buster blend would be great choices for you. Sweet Almond oil is a fine choice for a carrier and you are right–please don’t swallow even with the oil base.

I wouldn’t use straight essential oils for your teeth–definitely dilute them with a carrier. The above recipe is simple and if you don’t have coconut oil you can substitute another carrier (base) oil of your choice, ie sesame, olive, almond oil.

Hi Angelica,
Good question! Yes, we don’t recommend it for the skin because some of the essential oils could irritate sensitive skin. We’ve never heard of anyone having problems using it as a rinse for the teeth and gums. We still do recommend that you dilute the germ buster, though, as using it ‘straight’ would be too strong. And of course rinse well after using and don’t ingest.

Hello, I tried using essential oils in the Waterpik, but it really did not work out well. Oil and water don’t mix, so even after it was stirred around, the oil sat on top of the water. By the time the water drained through the system, there was not enough to get the oil distributed through the machine.

Have had a tooth-ache related to infected gums for a couple of days. Usually this means going to the dentist for antibiotics, which I hate doing. The first application made the tooth ache even more severly but now it is MUCH better. Will get back in a day or so and give the end of the story.

I haven’t tried using oils for my tooth and gum care hygiene since I’m doing fine with the use of regular toothpaste. My sister and mom both have oral problems like bad breath, tooth decay and gum bleeding once in a while. My mom just got her tooth extracted and the doctor is taking it slowly for her before she gets another appointment for tooth extraction because she is hypertensive. She only has five teeth that are wide apart and brushing it daily hurts her gums. Will gargling the Germ Buster together with the essential oil be enough as a substitute for brushing?

My son does not know how to spit out his toothpaste, he swallows it instead. I would like to try and wet his toothbrush, then dip it in the essential oil solution (diluted with as much water as needed) and help him brush with this solution. Since there would be such a small residue left in his mouth, do you think it would be safe for him to swallow?

It would certainly be better for him to spit it out–I don’t know how old your son is, but I wouldn’t advise for a child to ingest essential oils. Also, essential oils can be quite intense, depending on what you use, and he may not like that 🙂

I would say that once he’s gotten the hang of spitting, the essential oil mixture would be fine.

I read that turmeric is a good antimicrobial antiseptic for gingivitis. I was prescribed chlorhexidine but prefer an all natural route. What would the oil to water ratio be if I use turmeric oil and not powder?

I found this recipe online for a mouthwash and it looks like a research study shows it’s more effective than chlorhexidine:Use 10 mg of turmeric extract dissolved in 100ml, or a little less than a ½ cup of water. A drop or two of peppermint oil can be added for flavoring; alternatively, you can just stir a little turmeric powder into warm water. Either will result in an outstanding mouthwash for treating inflamed gums and even relieving a toothache.

great article! Im glad to see more people talking about essential oils and oral health. we have great success using essential oils to reduce dental anxiety, improve office mood and as an antibacterial/ anti-biofilm medicaments.

Dear Dr. Shvartsman,
Your comment was very interesting. Could you tell me how you use essential oils to reduce dental anxiety? I haven’t been to the dentist in 4 years (traumatic incident w/pain). I know I have 3 teeth that are broken down to the gum line, Money is another problem, though–why I haven’t been to a dentist.

How would I find a dentist who uses essential oils to relieve dental anxiety?
Sincerely yours, Pattip

My husband has developed dramatic receding gums over the years. Because of his poor health, age, etc., he cannot tolerate gum replacement procedures. This all developed since he was rendered quadriplegic 25 years ago. Because of this condition, he finds it difficult to have his teeth brushed. Also, he has EXTREME dry mouth, for which he gets slight temporary relief from Biotene products. What can you suggest as a gentle way to cleanse his teeth and mouth (without using a brush)?

Hi Theresa,
He could certainly try some of the recipes as mouthwashes, but really, for any dental conditions we always recommend you consult with your dentist first. Maybe using something like a water pik vs a brush would be gentler but still be helpful for thorough cleansing.

jut finished having my teeth deep cleaned for gum disease and my dentist said using a combination of peppermint, spearmint and clove oils would be great for a final brush to keep the teeth clean and clear of plaque and bacteria. She also said to only use a soft brush only.

I have never been to a dentist because of any dental problems but I can tell I am getting a cavity or already have a cavity . With everything I have heard about a dentist visit-I want to avoid this. What oil mixes can I try to reverse the cavity? Please help

Hi, I’m a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist – I took an intensive 15 month course, completed a research study and 33 individual essential oil case studies, and finally, an exam. The blend you are suggesting/using for a mouth wash/rinse is too strong. It could burn the gums, tongue and throat (if it were accidentally swallowed). 15 drops of essential oil (any type/combination) to a cup of water is more than sufficient for a mouth wash. The constituents (terpenes) in clove, peppermint, spearmint and cinnamon are extremely irritating to the skin. It is always best to speak to a trained aromatherapist. Essential oils are strong and not be used lightly – 1 drop is equivalent to 100 cups of tea from the same plant. Please use caution and respect when using essential oils.

I have been struggling with bleeding gums now for around two weeks…i have tried corsodyl mouth was….salt water…an also rubbing clove oil into the gums but does not seem to be clearing up an when i wake in morning they are inflamed…can not seem to get a dentist appointment any other suggestions please

Hi Nicola,
I wouldn’t use straight clove oil especially if you’re having bleeding gums. I’d suggest trying again to see a dentist; in the meantime continuing to rinse with warm salt water or one of the recipes in this post might be helpful. I’d suggest using a soft toothbrush and minimizing acidic/irritating foods and drinks as well as not smoking.

Hi
I want to start making my own mouthwash and have been looking online at for ideas. Can i substitue water for aloe vera juice and will essential oils be stable in this. I dont like the idea of swishing carrier oil (although if coconut oil would stay liquid i may be able to handle that) is a carrier oil really necessary? if i added a teaspoon of seasalt will that stabilise the oils. I was thinking of trying… 1 cup of aloe vera juice, 1 teaspoon of sea salt and 5 drops each of cinnamon clove and peppermint essential oils. What i cant find online is how long a shelf life a mixture like this would last me, so i could use it daily but also take it on holiday/travelling etc would you suggest storing it in a dark bottle? And if the measures and ingredients above are ok could i double the amounts to make more say if i were on holiday for 3 weeks

The shelf life will be whatever the shelf life of your aloe juice is….so, if you can store your aloe juice for a year this blend would also last a year. I think you could definitely take it with you for a 3 week trip.

I have bought some Eucalyptus Oil to help battle a receding gum I have on one of my teeth. I use it as a mouthwash. I diluted it and everything, but I find that it gives me horrible dry mouth which is uncomfortable and lasts a long time. I use it because I heard it is really the best oil for battling and healing receding gums. Is there any other oils that can help heal a receding gum? And do most essential oils produce drymouth, and if not what could be a better option in my case?

I wouldn’t use it if it’s causing you any problems. Have you tried tea tree? Or any of the other oils/combinations listed in the blog post? I think I’d probably start with a very diluted tea tree (maybe 5%) in a carrier oil or even just add one drop to your toothbrush after brushing normally and do a final rinse. Let us know what ends up working for you.

Tea tree is the curemail all, I’d try using some kind of blend with it. I know from experience that if it starts hurting you, you can use vanilla extract, if you apply it directly to the area that hurts it relieves mild tooth pain. I made a mouthwash using tea tree oil for more severe episodes of pain in a broken tooth that worked pretty well. But you CANNOT swallow it, it’s not meant to be ingested.

Yes, you can use a carrier oil instead of water. I’d keep the proportions the same as the recipes using water. It’s hard to figure out how to make such a tiny amount, so I think I’d cut the original recipe in half, and then pour it into smaller, 15 or 5ml size bottles as you need them (and you can keep the larger bottle in the refrigerator). Hope that helps!

I used a couple of drops of sage oil and olive oil with a q tip at the base of my teeth and gums. My teeth feel incredibly smooth and it feels like it eliminated some if not all the plaque. Any one else experience that?

AMAZING!!! I experimented with a drop of peppermint and I love it. My feels cleans and fresh. I simply added to the toothpaste on my toothbrush. One of my front two teeth is discolored. I have only used the peppermint twice and can already see a difference.

I will say I tried this before thinking to dilute the oil so I see now it may be too strong. But wow, wow, is all I can say C:

[…] This blend is a super simple oral health solution (especially if you’re looking for a way to take care of your teeth and gums with essential oils). If you want to learn more about using essential oils for oral hygiene, check out our blog post here. […]

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